RALEIGH  Correction Secretary Mack
Jarvis named James Thornton the Division of Adult Probation and
Parole manager for Judicial District 4-A which includes Duplin,
Jones and Sampson counties.

Thornton will manage the three
counties' probation officers who supervise more than 1800
probationers.

"James
Thornton has worked hard for the department and will be a
good manager for us," said Secretary Jarvis.
"He will help us strengthen community corrections
programs that will allow us to tighten our control of
offenders."

Thornton began his corrections career
in 1974 as probation and parole officer in Johnston
County. In 1976, he transferred to Sampson County. He was
promoted to chief probation and parole officer in Sampson
County in September 1979 and has served on the electronic
house arrest response team.

Thornton completed the state public
managers program in 1985. He serves on the Sampson County
Criminal Justice Partnership program board.

A Sampson County native, Thornton graduated
from Hobbton High School in Newton Grove. He graduated from East
Carolina University in 1974 with a criminal justice degree.